DRAMA! Rivers CP Withdraws Police Aides From Politicians

New Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr. Chris Ezike, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of policemen attached to politicians and individuals with immediate effect.

The order applied to the policemen, whose deployments were not approved by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase.

Ezike gave the order yesterday, during his maiden meeting with officers under the state Police Command at the Officers’ Mess, Port Harcourt.

He stated that officers and men under his Command must be non-partisan, advising that those interested in partisan politics must resign and register with any of the existing political parties in the country.

He said: “We shall with immediate effect review our personnel deployment profile and recover wastage and unauthorised deployments.

“Accordingly, all Squadron commanders are directed to withdraw PMF personnel deployed to persons not entitled and without approval from the Inspector-General of Police.

“Similarly, all Area Commanders, Heads of Departments and DPOs are directed to also withdraw their personnel so deployed. A monitoring task force shall soon commence action to ensure compliance.”

The new CP noted: “The 2015 elections have come and gone. However, the aftershocks still remain. The Police, under my watch, must remain neutral, professional, fair, and very firm.

“Any policeman or woman, who has political interest or is so committed to the ideals of any political party, is advised to resign his or her commission to enable him or her register as a political party member.

“All officers and men are to ensure that their actions and conducts remain within the provisions of the Nigeria Constitution, Police Acts and Regulations and other extant legislations.”

Ezike warned: “Within the same framework, any Police officer that abuses the goodwill he enjoys or wallops same on the platform of ineptitude or corruption, will have full sanctions visited on him as applicable.

Conversely, those subjected to indignation, attack or unprovoked humiliation will be adequately protected and defended within the provisions of the law.

“As a Police officer, I had in the course of service to the nation, served in different capacities in various commands, both at the federal and state levels, my last posting being at the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

“Coming to Rivers at this time, is a prospect I intend to explore to bring about good policing services to the people of the state.

“I have, therefore, come with tremendous goodwill, open hands and mind, willingness to work, partner with all to ensure we make Rivers State safer, secure, better and prosperous. In the words of Mr. President ‘I belong to all’.”

The new Police boss, who acknowledged the upsurge of violent crimes in the state, expressed readiness to work with the officers and men to ensure Rivers people and property were secured.

He said, “As I perused the handover notes from my predecessor, it was easily noticeable that trend and pattern of serious crimes in the State have become worrisome to the citizens. Specifically Kidnapping and armed robbery fueled and energized by cultism have been on the increase, consequently, the focus of my leadership shall be reverse the trend and halt the drift.

“Accordingly, we shall provide qualitative service to the people of Rivers State; fight serious crimes of armed robbery, kidnapping and cultism with every strength we can muster; partner with other security agencies and non-state actors in a professionalism and transparent manner on this journey; respect the rights of the citizens and abhor corruption and corrupt tendencies”.